The Niger Delta group also warned against any attempt to impeach the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that such an action could threaten the peace of the Niger Delta region. 

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condemned the Supreme Court’s decision nullifying the recently conducted local government elections in Rivers State. 

The Niger Delta group also warned against any attempt to impeach the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stating that such an action could threaten the peace of the Niger Delta region. 

The INC emphasised that Fubara’s impeachment could destabilise national peace and economic stability, particularly in the oil-and-gas-rich region. 

The congress further expressed concerns that the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, which affirmed the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, could plunge the entire region into crisis. 

The INC President, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, in a statement made available to journalists, warned that the Ijaws in Rivers State must not be politically sidelined. 

He noted that the issue of political exclusion extends beyond Rivers State to other states such as Ondo, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, where Ijaws continue to face marginalisation.

Prof. Okaba also criticised the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers political crisis, arguing that it failed to acknowledge the historical and political sacrifices made by the Ijaw people in the governance of Rivers State. 

He emphasised that the Ijaw people have played a crucial role in shaping the state’s leadership for decades, stating, "In 1999, an Ijaw leader, Chief Marshall Harry, was instrumental in securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Dr. Peter Odili, despite a formidable challenge from Sergeant Awuse. Harry further ensured Odili’s victory against a Kalabari opponent, Chief Ebenezer Isokariari of the All Peoples Party (APP)." 

Prof. Okaba continued, "In 2003, the INC recalls that when Marshall Harry backed Sergeant Awuse’s governorship ambition, it was not Awuse but Harry himself who was assassinated, marking a painful loss for the Ijaw people. By 2007, Ijaw leaders such as Soboma George and Farrah Dagogo played a decisive role in securing victory for Sir Celestine Omehia, while Prince Igodo, a Kalabari-Ijaw warlord, was killed during Omehia’s swearing-in to prevent security breaches." 

He further recalled, "In 2011, when Rotimi Amaechi sought to nominate Pastor Tonye Cole as a minister, Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of then-President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, ensured that Nyesom Wike took the slot instead." 

The INC leader asserted that despite these sacrifices, a political elite from the Ikwerre ethnic group is now seeking to frustrate the first riverine governor in decades. 

He declared that the Ijaw nation would defend Governor Fubara "with every pint of blood in their veins."

Prof. Okaba also cautioned that while the INC has worked tirelessly to preserve peace in the Niger Delta — leading to increased oil production and national revenue — the same resources are now being used to marginalise the Ijaw people.

He therefore called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene, stressing that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State must not be treated as ordinary politics. 

He warned that the Ijaw people, numbering over 40 million worldwide, would not tolerate any attempt to undermine their place in Nigerian politics.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Supreme Court had placed a restriction on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other government agencies, preventing them from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government.

This decision was part of a unanimous verdict delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye on behalf of a five-member panel. 

The apex court ruled that this restriction would remain in effect until the state government complies with previous court rulings it had been accused of disregarding. 

The court also dismissed a cross-appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had challenged the legitimacy of the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

The Supreme Court ruled against Fubara, directing Amaewhule and other elected lawmakers to resume legislative duties immediately. 

In its judgment, the court criticised Governor Fubara for presenting the state's appropriation bill to a four-member assembly, thereby sidelining 28 constituencies. 

It described the action as a blatant violation of a previous order mandating the governor to re-submit the 2024 budget before a properly constituted assembly under Amaewhule’s leadership. 

Additionally, the Supreme Court condemned Fubara’s handling of the alleged defection of 28 lawmakers, describing his actions as authoritarian tactics designed to obstruct the legislative process.

It also denounced the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, calling it an abuse of executive power aimed at suppressing the legislative body. 

Furthermore, the Supreme Court nullified the local government elections conducted in Rivers State on October 5, 2024. 

In a judgment delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, the court ruled that the election was invalid due to significant violations of the Electoral Act. 

It found that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission failed to comply with electoral guidelines, including continuing voter registration even after announcing the election date. Consequently, the court declared the election process void. 

Earlier, SaharaReporters also reported that the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule, who is loyal to former Rivers Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. 

Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered the ruling, noting that Fubara's lawyer, Yusuf Ali (SAN), had withdrawn the appeal.